Condos

Truman launches Esquire at University District

Think of it as “distinguished,” but not luxury, Maureen Henderson says of the new 185-unit Esquire condo project by Truman, in the rapidly unfolding University District.

“Luxury” has the wrong connotation with regard to price, Henderson says, because Esquire boasts a modest starting price of $291,370 for a one-bedroom, 652-square-foot home. With that you get a lot of internal amenities, including a 24-hour fitness centre; a spin studio (with stationary bikes); a multi-purpose movement studio equipped for Barre, dance or aerobic workouts; underground parking; a bike repair room; a workshop for do-it-yourselfers; and, a pet spa with washing and grooming stations.

A show suite for Esquire opens today from noon to 5 p.m. at the University District Discovery Centre, at the top of University Avenue, directly across from the Alberta Children’s Hospital, says Henderson, marketing and communications director for University District.

Esquire will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom units in a total of 15 different floor plans, which can be viewed at liveatesquire.com. The one-bed/one-bath Arthur plan starts at 652 square feet and $291,370, while the Arlo is a one-bed/one bath starting at $325,995. Two-bed/one-bath models start at 736 square feet and $324,000, and the two-bed/two-bath Bella layout starts at $400,702. Two- or three-bed/two-bath designs begin with the 1,071-square-foot Coby floor plan at $522,258 and go up to 1,186 square feet with the Dessa model starting at $539,024.

“There’s a real emphasis on customization, with six colour palates and a variety of flooring options to choose from,” Henderson says. Units are designed for natural light and oversized windows are triple-paned. Esquire will be of interest in particular to downsizes looking for a low-maintenance condo lifestyle with all the amenities.

The two Esquire buildings will meet the Built Green Gold standard. Truman is also developing the Maple and Noble projects at University District and has been building homes in Calgary for 30 years, Henderson says.

Esquire’s outside amenities include a courtyard, lawn and barbecue area, as well as proximity to the North Pond, play parks and dog park. And it’s part of University District, which includes a nine-block retail district — with grocery stores, restaurants, shopping and services — as well as quick connections to the University of Calgary campus, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Foothills Hospital, 16th Avenue, Crowchild Trail and the Orange Line of the CTrain.

University District is a 200-acre, master-planned community west of the University of Calgary, overlooking the Bow River and Rocky Mountains. Built on lands formerly owned by the university, University District development is overseen by the West Campus Development Trust and profits from the project are directed back to the university.